Jawzjan farmers grow cotton instead of poppy

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): The production of cotton has increased by five times in northern Jawzjan province during the ongoing year comparing to past three years, an official said on Wednesday.

Agriculture Director Qari Ebadullah Ansari said 2021 farmers grew cotton on 963 hectares of land while this year cotton is cultivated on 5,600 hectares of land showing five time surge in its cultivation.

Some farmers in Jawzjan said their economic affairs were linked with agriculture and they strived to prevent the growing of illicit crop like poppy.

Ghulam Nabi, one of the farmers, said despite the shortage of water people were still committed to the cultivation of poppy to run their economy.

“In the past years, I planted poppy several times, but I got nothing but misery, and I also planted wheat once, it was good compared to last year, but the droughts that I encountered, the yield of wheat was cut off, now I want cotton, God willing. I planted it and it yielded a lot and I am very happy,” he said.

Ezzatullah, another farmer, believed that cotton cultivation has good income and also provided work opportunity for poor families to support their daily expenses by working in the fields.

“In the land where I planted cotton, I am busy from morning to evening, and my wife and son also help me. I am very happy that I have a good harvest and this way I can provide my family with a bite of halal bread,” he said.

He asked the agriculture department to support farmers and work for their economic development.

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